Together’s response to UK Youth Select Committee inquiry on youth violence and social media

Date: 22nd January 2025
Category: General measures of implementation, Special protection measures

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Together has responded to the UK Youth Select Committee inquiry on social media and youth violence, highlighting the importance of protecting children’s rights online. Drawing on evidence from its State of Children’s Rights Report and from the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) 2023 Concluding Observations, Together emphasises the need for urgent action to make digital spaces safer and more child-friendly. 

Children and young people value the benefits of being online but have raised concerns about harmful content, the impact of algorithms, and inadequate safeguards.  In its response, Together highlights children and young people’s calls for platforms to take greater responsibility for creating secure environments where they can interact without exposure to risks like violent content. Suggestions include developing platforms specifically designed for children, equipped with strong protections to prevent harmful material from reaching them. 

Together’s response reinforces the need for collaborative efforts across governments, families, schools, and social media platforms to ensure children’s rights are prioritised and upheld in the digital world. 

• Click here to read Together’s response.